January 8th, 2026
Warning Period begins in Brighton, Pittsford and West Irondequoit School Districts this week
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As students and teachers return to classrooms this week, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today announced the Brighton Central School District (BCSD) and Pittsford Central School District (PCSD) have joined the Monroe County School Bus Safety program. This partnership with stop-arm enforcement technology provider, BusPatrol, and BCSD’s transportation provider, First Student, Inc., will equip school buses with stop-arm cameras to capture and enforce violations when motorists illegally pass stopped school buses with extended stop-arms and flashing red lights.
"The safety of our students and staff is nonnegotiable—it is our highest priority. By utilizing this technology, we are significantly strengthening public safety: improving school bus safety, holding reckless drivers accountable, and helping prevent tragedies before they occur,” said County Executive Bello. “I commend the Brighton, Pittsford Central School Districts, along with each of the districts already enrolled, their Boards of Education and their superintendents for demonstrating leadership and making student safety their top priority.”
So far this school year, the Monroe County School Bus Safety Program issued more than 2,600 citations to vehicle owners in participating school districts. In total, more than 16,000 citations have been issued since the program’s inception in October 2023.
Under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, drivers must stop for school buses that display flashing red lights and an extended stop-arm, regardless of whether they are approaching from the front or rear, and regardless of the type of roadway.
Brighton and Pittsford join West Irondequoit, Spencerport, Hilton, East Irondequoit, Webster, and Greece Central School Districts in the program. All suburban districts in Monroe County are eligible to participate – at no cost to the district - with Board of Education approval.
“Every day, the families of our district put their children on buses and entrust us with their safety. Our 47 drivers are transporting more than 2,800 children to and from school each day — the most precious cargo there is. Our drivers from First Student are amazing people and do an outstanding job driving throughout our Town. However, they cannot control what the other drivers on the road are doing. We hope that these cameras can act as a deterrent to drivers taking risks and making bad choices that could put our students in danger, particularly around bus stops,” said Brighton CSD Superintendent Dr. Kevin McGowan.
“We are grateful to the county for implementing this vital program to enforce laws that protect students when school buses are stopped. Every child deserves safe passage to and from school, and we are hopeful this initiative will enhance safety by encouraging motorists to slow down, stay alert, and follow the law, leading to safer roads for our entire community,” said Pittsford Superintendent Shana Cutaia.
"Teaming up with Monroe County to implement stop-arm cameras has been a win-win for our district and community," West Irondequoit CSD Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Johnson, said. "It's a great use of new technology to enhance safety for our most precious commodity, our students and children. We couldn't be happier with how this program has started.”
BCSD, PCSD and West Irondequoit are officially on a 30-day “warning period”. During this time, violators will receive warning letters without fines. After the warning period, drivers caught illegally passing a stopped school bus will face a $250 fine for a first offense, with escalating penalties for repeat violations within 18 months. All three districts will begin issuing citations and fines to violators starting February 9.
“Since its launch just over two years ago, Monroe County’s School Bus Safety Program has grown steadily across our county, reflecting a deliberate commitment by school districts to prioritize student safety,” said County Legislature President Yversha Román. “The Legislature supported this program because it creates a consistent, countywide approach to protecting children and reinforcing accountability on our roads. Its continued expansion shows that communities across Monroe County recognize the importance of strong, preventative measures that keep students safe.”
“I am excited to learn that the Brighton and Pittsford Central School Districts are joining the County’s Stop Arm Camera initiative,” said Legislator Dave Long, Chair of the Public Safety Committee. "This technology continues to bring peace of mind to parents and protect students across our community. I appreciate the commitment from the County and our local school districts to prioritize our children’s safety.”
“Keeping children safe when they travel to and from school must always be a top priority, and that is exactly what we set out to do when the school bus stop-arm program was launched in 2023,” said Republican Leader Sean McCabe. “By joining this program, Brighton and Pittsford are taking meaningful steps to protect students, expand public safety on our roads, and strengthen a system that continues to grow. I look forward to the day when this proven safety measure is in place across all of Monroe County to help protect every student.”
